Tom Atwood began writing songs in the late 1970s, performing with the Midwest acoustic group Arm & Hammer. His acoustic guitar, played in a distinctive five-finger picking style, is featured not only in original folk songs (Keep Looking for Jesus, Figure Out Love), but also in instrumental compositions based in the Classical and New Age traditions.

Recent solo CD releases include Redwing (2004), and Broken String, an instrumental compilation released in 2003. While difficult to categorize, Atwood's songs reflect a musical honesty and simplicity, spiritual longing, and sometimes, plain confusion.